Alcohol Beverages Labeled with Organic Claims

Alcohol Info

In 2000, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized the regulations relating to the National Organic Program at 7 CFR Part 205. These rules provide new standards for the production, handling, processing, labeling and marketing of products labeled with organic claims. While these rules were not written or implemented by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), they do apply to alcohol beverages. For this reason, ATF has worked closely with the USDA to ensure that the alcohol beverage industry has been provided with current and accurate information regarding organic claims on labels. This web site and the resources catalogued within are designed to provide you with the most up-to-date information on organic claims on alcohol beverage labels.

General Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Sample Organic Labels

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the United States Department of Agriculture recently finalized sample labels that comply with the National Organic Program.

Labeling Alcohol Beverage Containers Chart

On July 29, 2002, the Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division mailed out information regarding the National Organic Program (NOP) to those industry members whom we know to hold certificates of label approval for organic products. The Labeling Alcohol Beverage Containers chart provides the industry with guidelines on how to make their products comply with the NOP.

Public Documents

The National Organic Program (NOP) is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture. The NOP regulations, found at 7 CFR Part 205, govern the production, processing, handling, labeling and marketing of organic products.

Read ATF Notice 954 regarding ATF's intention to amend the alcohol labeling and marketing rules to cross-reference the United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program rules.

On August 6, 2002 ATF and the United States Department of Agriculture entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. This document seeks to clarify and delineate the enforcement responsibilities of each agency with regard to the review of alcohol beverages making an organic claim.

ATF Industry Correspondence

Read ATF's Letter dated September 18, 2002 that announces a ruling by the United States Department of Agriculture regarding the implementation timetable for the National Organic Program. This letter also outlines procedures allowing most holders of organic Certificates of Label Approval (COLAs) to get a one-year extension on their previously approved certificates.

Read ATF's letter dated July 29, 2002 regarding the implementation of the National Organic Program.

Your Organic Contacts in the Federal Government

For Questions related specifically to the National Organic Program regulations, please contact:

United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Marketing Service
(202) 720-3252
www.ams.usda.gov/nop

For questions related specifically to the review process for Certificates of Label Approval that make an organic claim, please contact:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division
(202) 927-8140